Welcome to the law offices of Hagen O’Connell & Hval LLP

Our goal at Hagen, O’Connell, Hval, LLP is to provide the highest quality of legal services to continue our strong growth in serving new clients in the Pacific NW community as well as strengthening our current relationships by helping them reform their strategies to reaching their goals in this fast paced ever-changing economy.

On the business side, we serve clients from numerous industries that include companies at all stages of the businesses life cycle – from start-ups to well-established businesses.

We also provide individuals and families with personal legal needs in the areas of income and estate tax planning, business succession planning, disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities, real estate transactions and financing.

Our lawyers have extensive experience and expertise with licenses to practice in Oregon, Washington, and California in the areas of business and commercial transactions, complex tax matters, mergers and acquisitions, corporate law and finance, estate planning and probate, real estate, and tax litigation in state and federal courts.

Litigation Law
Estate Planning
Estate Planning
Contact the law office of Hagen O'Connell & Hval

A few things we’re great at

Tax Planning

Generally speaking, tax planning is defined as analyzing a client’s past and current finances, review of prior tax returns and discussion of future goals with a tax attorney to ensure that all available advantages contained within the Internal Revenue Code are utilized to minimize tax exposure.

Tax Audit Defense

Tax Defense

Few things in life are more intimidating than facing a tax audit examination. A tax audit is the examination of an individual or business return to verify that all items reported are accurate and substantiated. Our tax practice focuses primarily on audit representation (in field, mail, or office audits) for individuals and small businesses, both on domestic issues and international/treaty positions.

Tax Litigation

Tax Planning

A tax controversy commences at the administrative (agency) level and generally arises from a tax audit (also known as a tax examination) or taxes owed from a filed/amended return. Our tax attorneys represent individual and corporate clients to resolve their tax controversy at all levels, including administrative, appeals, and, if necessary, US Tax Court or Oregon Tax Court. As an alternative to the time, cost, and expense of a trial, we can also assist with alternative dispute resolution, including Fast Track Mediation and/or arbitrating settlements with the IRS/Oregon Department of Revenue.

Estate Planning & Administration

Estate Planning

An estate plan puts you in control of end-of-life decisions. Essential for adults of all ages, it provides for your loves ones and ensures that your property is distributed according to your wishes. It’s also a crucial component of your overall financial plan, and can help your heirs avoid paying substantial taxes and fees.

Business & Corporate Law

There is no question that experience matters. At Hagen O’Connell & Hval, we are more than good lawyers: we are industry professionals. We strive to understand our clients’ businesses inside and out. Our clients are diverse, ranging from startups and emerging enterprises to family-owned and privately held companies and multinational, publicly traded corporations.

We have an extensive practice in Merger and Acquisition of businesses. We have handled many mergers and acquisitions in almost every type of business. We work with the clients in preparing the business for sale thru closings.

Real Estate Law

Our real estate law practice focuses on helping individuals and families efficiently resolve common challenges involving real property, including the purchase and sale of real estate, preparation and review of lease agreements whether residential or commercial, boundary disputes, deeds, and more.

Our Attorneys

Joseph T. Hagen

Joseph T. Hagen was educated at the University of Innsbruck, Mt. Angel College (B.A., 1967), Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1971), and New York University (LL.M. in Taxation, 1972), and has been engaged in private practice of law in Portland, Oregon for over 45 years. 

Kevin P. O’Connell

Kevin O’Connell is a graduate of Fordham University and New York University (LL.M in Taxation, 1970). Mr. O’Connell served as a law clerk for the Oregon Supreme Court in 1966 and 1967, and has been engaged in private practice of law in Portland, Oregon, for over 50 years.

Steven B. Hval

Steven B. Hval is a graduate of the University of Washington where he earned a business degree in the accounting concentration in 1988. Mr. Hval graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law in 1992 and acquired an LL.M at the University of Miami, Florida, in 1993

Diane C. Kerns
Of Counsel

Diane Kerns is a graduate of Marquette University, B.A., magna cum laude and Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, J.D. She has been practicing law in Portland, Oregon for over 40 years. She specializes in estate planning; corporate, partnership and individual tax planning; and formation of business entities.

Jennifer Martin Esq

Jennifer J. Martin
OF COUNSEL

Jennifer J. Martin holds an LL.M. in Tax Law from the University of Washington Law School graduating with a 3.93 GPA and received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Mergers & Acquisitions and Tax Procedure & Controversies. Ms. Martin received her J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School, cum laude.

Joe O’Connell
OF COUNSEL

Joe O’Connell is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College of California and Willamette University College of Law. Mr. O’Connell is licensed to practice law in Oregon and is a member of the American, Oregon and Multnomah County Bar Associations.

Irvine Nic Corbett
OF COUNSEL

Irvine Nic Corbett holds a J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Washington School Law and is licensed to practice in Washington and Missouri. He is a member of the Washington, Missouri and American Bar Associations and has worked for the IRS Chief Counsel in Seattle.

Testimonials

We officially closed the sale today. Thank you for all your help getting us to this point! You brought so much peace of mind and I really appreciate how responsive you are. I can’t imagine doing something like this without you on my side.

Hopefully I’ll talk them into purchasing the next venture too and we can work together again on that one! But in the meantime if I ever have any legal questions or need help I’ll reach out to you first

Brian E

Joseph Hagen has 5 stars (highest rank) on Legal match

I can’t express the real meaning to me this is. I know the hard work you have done and have put up more than effort here. Thank you for your perseverance and understanding representing me. It’s more than the money it’s about doing the right thing. And you have made that a whole new meaning to me.

Gene D.

Get in touch

Visit us

8555 SW Apple Way, Suite 300

Portland, OR 97225

Phone: (503) 227-2900

Fax: (503) 227-3870